This is stupid. The law has got to let us run a totalizator on the Toronto election. We could put it on the tote out at Woodbine when there are no ponies running. Punters could check the action on the 24-hour news channels. Here it is October 1 and the candidates are in the final turn. The Toronto mayoralty race alone could make a million bucks either for charity or the government coffers.
From here on the candidates are pounding down the straight-away. The dirt is flying from steel clad feet. The jockeys in campaigning colors are urging on their steeds. Do you not just love the excitement and the drama? The crowd in the grandstand are on their feet and screaming on their choice. There are only furlongs to go on an increasingly muddy track.
And look at those horses in the lead: Olivia Chow might be the smaller horse that is falling back into the pack but there was a lot of early money laid on her. There will be no fewer oats for her back in the stable for placing second or third. While she is still the favourite of a core of supporters, there is little joy in their urging her on. They can only hope for the miracle.
Look at that big thoroughbred dressed up as a dray, struggling to catch up with the leader. Brash and bold, loud and angry, Doug Ford fills the card for his brother’s entry. He wallows in the mud of the stretch drive and kicks it at his adversaries. He thinks everyone should get out of his way as he charges for that seemingly far finish line. His hopes are slim but his backers want their revenge. For these angry people are Ford Nation.
And way out in front picking his way carefully through the flying mud is the frontrunner, John Tory. In the distance, he sees redemption for a mixed career in politics. In the distance he sees better solutions for his city. His whole being is devoted to this stretch run. It has been a long campaign. He did not start strong but he has gained momentum as it progressed.
There has been many a slip in these final furlongs of such a hard and confusing race. There are no guarantees. All drive for that finish line. It is too bad we cannot keep the tote open as there might still be a lot of late bets on this race.
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Copyright 2014 © Peter Lowry
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